Illinois Nonprofit Arts and Culture Sector is $2.75 Billion Industry

Illinois' nonprofit arts and culture sector is a $2.75 billion industry according to Arts & Economic Prosperity IV, a new study from Arts Alliance Illinois and Americans for the Arts.

This study unequivocally demonstrates the value of investments in the arts and cultural sector. Despite the recession, arts and cultural organizations were major contributors to Illinois’ economy. The arts sector puts people to work in Illinois and is a magnet for attracting talent, tourists, and investment to the region. – Ra Joy, Executive Director, Arts Alliance Illinois

Nonprofit arts sector is a job and business generator

According to Arts & Economic Prosperity IV, $2.75 billion in annual spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences in Illinois:

Supports more than 78,000 full-time-equivalent jobs

Generates a total of $2.3 billion in household income to Illinois residents

Delivers $324 million in state and local government revenue

Nonprofit arts sector contributes to other industries

The nonprofit arts and culture sector drives significant business to other industries critical to the health of the Illinois economy, including food service, ground transportation, and hospitality.

Cultural tourism offers even greater opportunities for growth

Cultural tourism has the potential to attract significant new spending to the state of Illinois. Currently, arts patrons visiting from out of state spend two-and-a-half times more per person than Illinois residents in relation to arts and cultural events ($55.82 versus $20.43).

About Arts & Economic Prosperity

Arts & Economic Prosperity IV is the most comprehensive study of its kind ever conducted in the United States. It features a national report along with customized findings for 182 unique study regions, including the state of Illinois. Data collection for the Illinois study was conducted in 2011 by Arts Alliance Illinois and compiled by Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education. Support was provided by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

The state of Illinois is one of 182 study regions in the U.S. that participated in Arts & Economic Prosperity IV. These study regions include 139 cities and counties, 31 multicity or multi-county regions, 10 states and two individual arts districts—representing all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.

In the state of Illinois, data from nearly 1,000 eligible nonprofit arts and culture organizations and over 2,700 surveys of Illinois nonprofit arts and culture audiences were included. The included 1,000 organizations were a representative sample of the sector as a whole.